Jennifer Phillips

Artist Statement

As a contemporary landscape painter, my focus in the creation of my unique and precious HAND PAINTED miniatures, is to provide the viewer with a piece of nature that you can hold in the palm of your hand… or in this case, actually wear around your neck.

The theme in my work, whether in large scale or in miniature form, visually revolves around the use of trees… trees are stoic, protectors, and are providers. If they only could speak I wonder what they would say – as they silently witness the world around us.

I use heavily textured surfaces that are crackled, to lead the direction of the miniature compositions. Sometimes the formed cracks actually suggest branches or roots. Though these little painted charms have an aged appearance, they are uniquely timeless.

While the focus of my jewelry line continues to be on the pendant itself, the craftsmanship of the entire necklace is of the highest quality. Each piece of jewelry is a one of a kind; there will never be another exactly the same…

Process:

Each pendant is an ORIGINAL HAND PAINTED miniature oil painting. No two pendants are alike. They are painted with the use of traditional oil paints, mediums, brushes, and by using texturing and glazing techniques.

The artist paints the artwork, using the aid of a magnifying glass and very tiny brushes, on the backside of vintage SCRABBLE TILES or exotic hardwoods. A texturing medium is first applied to its surface and cracks as it dries. Successive layers of glazed oil paints are then applied allowing the cracks to show through and giving the piece an antiqued appearance (often suggesting the roots or branches of the tree). Iridescent oil colors are also subtly used on occasion to give some pieces a slight shimmer or opalescence.  Lastly, a jeweler’s grade resin is applied by hand to permanently finish and protect the surface of the painting, giving it a high gloss finish.

Each painting is then made into a pendant. Using a drill press, the artist drills a hole all the way through the thin wood Scrabble tile.  Handmade head pins are used and thread through the center of the tile. Each head pin is created either using a torch to melt fine silver wire, or wire-wrapping techniques are used to create a brass/copper head pin.  The artist also offers a selection of finishes that are antiqued by hand.

Larger assemblages continue the theme of “twigs and branches” by suspending the pendant from an actual branch. The wood branch is sanded and sealed. Tiny holes are drilled in the edges to thread antique brass wire to create a wire-wrapped loop where the pendant or necklace will attach.

All of the pendants are strung on delicate necklaces made of sterling silver, antique brass, or suede.

While the focus of my jewelry line continues to be on the pendant itself, the craftsmanship of the entire necklace is of the highest quality.

Each piece of jewelry is a one of a kind; there will never be another exactly the same…

 Bio

Born in Evanston, Illinois, I grew up surrounded by creativity… I had the benefit of both my parents working from home ~ they did everything a kid could dream of to encourage my imagination.

My dad is an illustrator, and during my younger years I was able to watch how he painted everyday… I loved to sit in his studio at my little art table and draw with him

Once I grew up, it was very easy for me to decide that I wanted to become an artist. I attended Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, and graduated in 1995 with a B.F.A. in illustration.

After school, my artistic vision changed a bit. I moved to Seattle, WA and found myself needing a steady paycheck. I took up a job with an art supply company, and in the blink of an eye, it turned into a ten-year career! I spent many years painting and showing my work locally as I maintained my nine to five job. I used my travels as inspiration for the work I produced in oils and oil pastels… and in 2008, I quit my day job to pursue painting full time!

My landscapes are painted in oil on panel, most of which have all been embellished with a crackled surface. Subsequent thin oil glazes are used to get the glowing light and rich warm colors that I love so much. These pieces are made to look antiqued all while standing the test of time! If you look closely, many of the cracks often resemble the roots and branches of the tiny trees…

Much of my work today is inspired by the many trips I made over the years through Eastern Washington and parts of the Midwest. With each trip I took, I discovered something new about the landscape… and myself.

Exhibitions

2011  Art in the Pearl, Portland, OR, Juried – Jewelry & Painting

2011  Bellevue Festival of the Arts, WA, Juried – Jewelry & Painting

2011  Lucia Douglas Gallery, Bellingham, WA,  Invitational Group Show – Painting

2011  Cole Gallery, Edmonds, WA, Featured Artist – Jewelry & Painting

2010  Best of the Northwest, Seattle, WA, Juried – Jewelry & Painting

2010  Local 14, Portland, OR, Juried – Jewelry & Painting

2010  Plaza Artfair, Kansas City, MO, Juried  – Jewelry

2010  Art in the Pearl, Portland, OR, Juried – Jewelry & Painting

2010  Art in the High Desert, Bend, OR, Juried – Jewelry & Painting

2010  Kimball Arts Festival, Park City, UT, Juried – Jewelry & Painting

2010  Cole Gallery, Edmonds, WA, Spotlight Artist – Jewelry & Painting

2010  Bellevue Festival of the Arts, WA, Juried – Jewelry & Painting

2010  Salem Artfair, OR, Juried – Jewelry & Painting

2010  Choochokam Artfair, Langley, WA, Juried – Jewelry & Painting

2010  Edmonds Artfair, WA, Juried – Jewelry & Painting

2010  Artfest Artfair, Spokane, WA, Juried – Jewelry & Painting – Addison & Meyers Visual Arts Award

2010  Gallery North, Miniature & Small Works Show, Group show

2009  Bellevue Arts Museum Artfair, Juried

2009  Lucia Douglas Gallery, Invitational Group Show, “Ten Inches by Ten Inches Square”

2009  University House, Group Show, “Illuminated at Night, Dusk, and Dawn”

2009  Firehouse Coffee, Solo Show, Landscapes Recent Works

2008  Howard/Mandville Gallery, Invitational “Small Works Show”, Group show

2008  Dry Soda, Solo Show, Recent Works

2008  Clementine, Solo Show, Small Travels

2008  Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Solo Show, Recent Works

2008  Makeda Coffe, Solo Show, Recent Works

2008  Neptune Cafe, Solo Show, Recent Works

2008  Atlas Foods, Juried, “Summer” Group Show

2008  Bellevue Arts Museum Artfair, Juried

2008  Greenwood Art Walk, Juried/Solo show, Equinox Healing Arts

2008  Mithun, Landscape Solo Show

2008  Coastal Kitchen, Juried, “Rome” Group Show

2008  Gage Academy, Juried, Self Portrait Group Show

2008  Three French Hens, Landscape Solo Show

2007  Daniel Smith Artist Materials, Group Show

2006  Atlas Foods, Juried, Group Show

2005  Atlas Foods, Juried, Group Show

2004  Atlas Foods, Juried, Group Show

2004  Coastal Kitchen, Juried, Group Show

2003  Atlas Foods, Juried, Group Show

2000  The Artist’s Gallery of Seattle, Juried, Group Show

1997  OK Hotel, Group Show

1995  Savannah College of Art & Design, Graduate Group Show

Awards

2010  Addison & Meyers Visual Arts Award – Artfest, Spokane, WA

Affiliations

2010  Northwest Art Alliance, Juried Acceptance

Publications/Articles

2011    American Art Collector Magazine, Feature Artist, April issue

2009  “How to Get More Out of Your Painting Surface”, Ampersand brochure

2009  “Painting on Ampersand Gessobord™”, Daniel Smith Artist Materials Catalog

2008    Product development of the Daniel Smith brand Original Oil Complete Color-Mixing Set, Daniel Smith Artist Materials

Education

2007-2008    Gage Academy, Seattle, WA

1991-1995    Savannah College of Art and Design, GA – B.F.A in Illustration